http://billingsgazette.com/news/loc...cle_3f73ec92-d3af-5917-98b5-22a6d9084c75.html
Washington man admits gun charge in Wal-Mart theft
A Washington man admitted federal gun violations after he held a knife to a Wal-Mart clerk in Billings and stole a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition last year.
Schuyler Stewart Zwar, 38, of Federal Way, Wash., pleaded guilty Wednesday to being a felon in possession of a firearm during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters. A plea deal calls for two other firearms counts to be dismissed at sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart said evidence would show that on Sept. 7, Zwar entered a West End Wal-Mart and held a knife to a clerk’s throat as he used a crowbar to smash the glass of a gun cabinet. He took a Bushmaster, .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle and three boxes of ammunition, she said.
Zwar left the parking lot in a white sedan. Much of the incident was recorded on the store’s security video system, Stewart said.
Later the same day, the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Zwar on traffic violations in Silver Bow County. The rifle and a yellow crowbar were recovered during a search of the vehicle.
Records confirmed that Zwar was convicted of a drug offense in King County, Wash., in 1999, Stewart said. Felons are prohibited from possessing firearms.
Watters set sentencing for May 20. Zwar remains in custody. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Washington man admits gun charge in Wal-Mart theft
A Washington man admitted federal gun violations after he held a knife to a Wal-Mart clerk in Billings and stole a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition last year.
Schuyler Stewart Zwar, 38, of Federal Way, Wash., pleaded guilty Wednesday to being a felon in possession of a firearm during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters. A plea deal calls for two other firearms counts to be dismissed at sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart said evidence would show that on Sept. 7, Zwar entered a West End Wal-Mart and held a knife to a clerk’s throat as he used a crowbar to smash the glass of a gun cabinet. He took a Bushmaster, .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle and three boxes of ammunition, she said.
Zwar left the parking lot in a white sedan. Much of the incident was recorded on the store’s security video system, Stewart said.
Later the same day, the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Zwar on traffic violations in Silver Bow County. The rifle and a yellow crowbar were recovered during a search of the vehicle.
Records confirmed that Zwar was convicted of a drug offense in King County, Wash., in 1999, Stewart said. Felons are prohibited from possessing firearms.
Watters set sentencing for May 20. Zwar remains in custody. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
